Thermal transfer recording material

ABSTRACT

A thermal transfer recording material composed of a dye-providing element having a dye-providing layer containing a thermal transferring dye and a binder resin as provided on a support and an image-receiving element having a dye-receiving layer containing a dye-receiving high polymer compound, in the main, as provided on a support, the dye-providing layer and the dye-receiving layer being kept in contact with each other and heatable in accordance with image signals so as to transfer the dye from the dye-providing layer to the dye-receiving layer to attain recording, in which the surface(s) of the dye-providing layer and/or the dye-receiving layer contain(s) at least one modified polysiloxane compound of formula (1).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording materialand, more precisely, to a thermal transfer recording material composedof a dye-providing element and an image-receiving element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a thermal transfer system has been developed in which printscan be obtained from images electronically formed with a color videocamera. According to one method of obtaining such prints, an electronicimage is first subjected to color separation with a color filter. Then,the respective color-separated pixels are converted into electricsignals. Subsequently, these signals are processed to provide yellow,magenta and cyan electric signals. Next, these signals are transmittedto a thermal printer. For obtaining prints, an yellow, magenta or cyandye-providing element is attached to a color image-receiving elementwith the surfaces of the two facing to each other. Subsequently, the twoelements are inserted between a thermal head and a platen roller. Usinga line-type thermal head, the two elements are heated from the backsurface of the dye-providing element. The thermal head has many heatingmeans so that the dye-providing element is successively heated inresponse to the yellow, magenta and cyan signals therein. Subsequently,the step is repeated for the other two remaining colors. Accordingly, acolor hard copy corresponding to the original image as seen on thescreen is obtained.

Another method of thermally obtaining prints with the above-mentionedelectric signals is a method using a laser in place of the thermal head.A dye-providing element to be used in the laser system contains amaterial which strongly absorbs laser rays applied thereto. Where laserrays are irradiated upon such a dye-providing element, the absorbingmaterial acts to convert the light energy to heat energy, whereupon theheat is transmitted to the nearest dye, and the dye is then heated up tothe thermal transferring temperature so as to be transferred to theadjacent image-receiving element. The absorbing material exists as alayer beneath the transferring dye and/or is blended with the dye. Theirradiating laser beams are modulated by the electric signals to expressthe shape and the color of the original image. As a result, only thedyes within the irradiated areas on the dye-providing element are heatedand thermally transferred.

As mentioned above, direct contact of a dye-providing element to animage-receiving element is indispensable in a thermal transfer recordingsystem, and, after recording, the two elements must be peeled off fromeach other.

However, these methods were not without their problems. For example,during the peeling step, the elements are statically charged and, as aresult, dust adheres to them so that the recorded surface is undesirablystained. Also, where recorded image-receiving elements are stacked up,they would attach to each other due to static electricity and heat sothat they could not be separated from each other. As the case may be,the dye providing layer would peel off to adhere to the image-receivingelement. Thus, the statically charged dye-providing element would oftenbe wrinkled. Additionally, discharge of the accumulated static chargeswould have an adverse effect on the electric system of recordingapparatus. These problems prevent implementation of the thermal transferrecording system described above. In addition, these problems oftendiminish the quality of the recorded images.

The invention as disclosed in JP-A-61-199997 (the term "JP-A" as usedherein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") isone attempt to solve these problems, but is not satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under this situation, the present inventors have variously investigatedthe above problems and have been able to solve them by the presentinvention described below.

Specifically, for solving the afore-mentioned problems, the presentinvention provides a thermal transfer recording material comprising adye-providing element comprising a support having a dye-providing layerthereon containing a thermal transferring dye and a binder resin, and animage-receiving element comprising a support having thereon adye-receiving layer containing a dye-receiving high polymer compound.The dye-providing layer and the dye-receiving layer are kept in contactwith each other and heatable in accordance with image signals so as totransfer the dye from the dye-providing layer to the dye-receiving layerto attain recording. At least one of the dye-providing layer and thedye-receiving layer, at least in the surface(s), contain(s) at least onepolysiloxane compound of the following general formula (1): ##STR1##where

Q¹ to Q⁷ each represents an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an arylgroup;

G¹ to G³ each represents --Y¹ --Y², --Y³ --NR--Y⁴ --N(R⁰)--Y⁵, an alkylgroup, an aryl group or an alkoxy group:

Y¹ represents an alkylene group, an arylene group or an aralkylenegroup;

Y² represents --Z¹ --Z² or --CO--Z³ ;

Z¹ represents --NR^(x) -- (where R^(x) is a hydrogen atom or an alkylgroup), --S-- or --O--;

Z² represents --CO--R¹, --CS--R², --SO₂ --R³, or --CR⁴ (R⁵)R⁶ ;

Z³ represents --NR⁷ (R⁸), --OR⁹ or --SR¹⁰ ;

Y³ and Y⁴ each has the same meaning as Y¹ ;

Y⁵ has the same meaning as Z² ;

R⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;

R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or Y⁵ ;

R¹, R² and R³ each represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxygroup, an aryloxy group, an alkylamino group or an arylamino group;

R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group oran aryl group;

R⁹ and R¹⁰ each represents an alkyl group or an aryl group;

provided that at least one of G¹, G² and G³ must be --Y¹ --Y² or --Y³--NR--Y⁴ --N(R⁰)--Y⁵ ; and

m¹ represents an integer of from 0 to 1000, and n¹ represents an integerof from 1 to 1000.

Coefficients in parentheses are branch groups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be explained in detail hereunder.

In formula (1), Q¹ to Q⁷ each represents an alkyl group having from 1 to10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl, butyl; preferably methyl), analkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy,butoxy; preferably methoxy), or an aryl group having from 6 to 15 carbonatoms (e.g., phenyl, p-methylphenyl). Of Q¹, Q², Q⁶ and Q⁷, preferred isa methyl or methoxy group. Of Q³ to Q⁵, preferred is a methyl group. Y¹represents an alkylene group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g.,--CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH(CH₃)--, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH(CH₃)CH₂ --,--(CH₂)₆ --), an arylene group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms (e.g.,--C₆ H₄ --), or an aralkylene group having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms(e.g., --CH₂ C₆ H₄ --, --CH₂ C₆ H₄ CH₂ --). For Y¹, preferred is analkylene group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. Z¹ represents --NR^(x)-- (where R^(x) is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 10carbon atoms, such as methyl or ethyl), or --S-- or --O--. For R^(x),preferred is a hydrogen atom. For Z¹, preferred is --NH--. Z² represents--COR¹ [where R¹ is an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group havingfrom 1 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,t-butyl, chloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, octyl, phenoxypropyl; preferablymethyl), an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group having from 6 to 25carbon atoms (e.g., phenyl, p-methylphenyl, m-chlorophenyl,hexafluorophenyl; preferably phenyl), a heteryl group having from 3 to20 carbon atoms (preferably 5-membered or 6-membered hetero group havingat least one nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom; for example, 2-furyl,2-tetrahydrofuryl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-thienyl), an alkoxy grouphaving from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy,octoxy; preferably methoxy, ethoxy), an aryloxy group having from 6 to15 carbon atoms (e.g., phenoxy), an alkylamino group having from 1 to 10carbon atoms (e.g., methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino,diethylamino), or an arylamino group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms(e.g., phenylamino)], or --CS--R² (where R² has the same meaning as R¹),--SO₂ --R³ (where R³ has the same meaning as R¹), or --CR⁴ (R⁵)R⁶ (whereR⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ each is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to10 carbon atoms such as methyl or ethyl, or an aryl group having from 6to 15 carbon atoms such as phenyl; preferably a hydrogen atom). Z³represents --NR⁷ (R⁸) (where R⁷ and R⁸ each is a hydrogen atom, an alkylgroup having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as methyl or ethyl, or anaryl group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms such as phenyl), --OR⁹(where R⁹ is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such asmethyl or ethyl, or an aryl group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms suchas phenyl; preferably an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms),or --SR¹⁰ (where R¹⁰ has the same meaning as R⁹). Y³ and Y⁴ each has thesame meaning as Y¹. Preferred examples of Y³ and Y⁴ are the same asthose mentioned for Y¹. Y⁵ has the same meaning as Z², and preferredexamples are the same as those for Z². R⁰ represents a hydrogen atom oran alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as methyl or ethyl.For R⁰, preferred is a hydrogen atom. R represents a hydrogen atom, analkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl), orY⁵, preferably a hydrogen atom or Y⁵. Y⁵ has the same meaning as Z², andpreferred examples are the same as those for Z².

The alkyl group represented by G¹ to G³ has from 1 to 10 carbon atomsand, for example, it can be methyl, ethyl or butyl. The aryl grouprepresented by G¹ to G³ has from 6 to 15 carbon atoms and, for example,it can be phenyl. The alkoxy group represented by G¹ to G³ has from 1 to10 carbon atoms and, for example, it can be methoxy, ethoxy or butoxy.Of the alkyl, aryl or alkoxy group represented by G¹ or G³, preferred isa methyl or methoxy group. Of the alkyl, aryl or alkoxy grouprepresented by G², preferred is a methyl group. m¹ is preferably aninteger of from 0 to 200; and n¹ is preferably an integer of from 1 to100.

The at least one polysiloxane compound of formula (1) is preferablypresent in at least one of the dye-providing layer and the dye-receivinglayer in an amount of from 0.01 to 2 g/m², more preferably from 0.01 to0.5 g/m², and most preferably from 0.05 to 0.5 g/m².

Of the compounds of formula (1), especially preferred are those offormula (2): ##STR2## where

Q⁸ to Q¹³ each represents a methyl group or a methoxy group;

G⁴ represents --Y⁶ --NH--CO--R¹¹, or --Y⁷ --N(R¹²)--Y⁸ --CO--R¹³ ;

Y⁶, Y⁷ and Y⁸ each represents an alkylene group (having from 2 to 5carbon atoms, such as --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH(CH₃)--, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂--, --CH₂ CH(CH₃)CH₂ --);

R¹¹ and R¹³ each has the same meaning as R¹, and preferably are selectedfrom an alkyl group (having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl,ethyl, isopropyl, t-butyl) or a phenyl group;

R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or --COR¹⁴ ;

R¹⁴ has the same meaning as R¹¹ (preferred examples of R¹⁴ are also thesame as those of R¹¹); and

m² represents an integer of from 10 to 100, and n² represents an integerof from 1 to 100.

m² +n² is from 11 to 200, preferably from 11 to 150. n² /m² is withinthe range of from 1/100 to 1/3, preferably from 1/100 to 1/10.

Next, the structure and materials of the thermal transfer recordingmaterial of the present invention will be explained more concretelyhereunder.

The support of the thermal transfer dye-providing element of thematerial may be any conventional one. For instance, it can bepolyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polycarbonate, glassine paper,condenser paper, cellulose ester, fluorine polymer, polyether,polyacetal, polyolefin, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene,polysulfone, and cellophane.

The thickness of the support of the thermal transfer dye-providingelement is generally from 2 to 30 μm. If desired, a subbing layer may becoated on it.

The thermal transfer dye-providing element has a thermal transferringdye. Basically, the dye-providing element has a dye-providing layercontaining a dye being movable due to heat and a binder on the support.For preparing the thermal transfer dye-providing element, a conventionaldye, which is sublimable or movable due to heat and a binder resin, isdissolved or dispersed in a suitable solvent to form a coating liquid,and the liquid is coated on one surface of a conventional support for athermal transfer dye-providing element in an amount to give a drythickness of approximately from 0.2 to 5 μm, preferably from 0.4 to 2 μmand dried to form a dye-providing layer on the support.

The dye-providing layer may be a single layer or may also be composed oftwo or more layers for the purpose of using the element repeatedly manytimes. In the latter case, the content of the dye and the ratio ofdye/binder in each constitutive layer may differ from one another.

Any conventional dye as heretofore been used in conventional thermaltransfer dye-providing elements may be used in the thermal transferdye-providing element of the present invention. Especially preferred foruse in the present invention are those having a small molecular weightof approximately from 150 to 800, and they are selected in considerationof the transferring temperature, hue, light fastness, and solubility ordispersibility in ink and binder resin.

For instance, examples include disperse dyes, basic dyes and oil-solubledyes, and preferred are Sumikaron Yellow E4GL, Dianix Yellow H2G-FS,Miketon Polyester Yellow 3GSL, Kayazet Yellow 937, Sumikaron Red EFBL,Dianix Red ACE, Miketon Polyester Red FB, Kayazet Red 126, Miketon FastBrilliant Blue B and Kayazet Blue 136.

Yellow dyes of the following general formula (Y) are preferably used.##STR3## where D¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxygroup, an aryl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a cyano group or acarbamoyl group; D² represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or anaryl group; D³ represents an aryl group or a heteryl group; D⁴ and D⁵each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. These groups mayoptionally be substituted.

Specific examples of the yellow dyes are mentioned below. ##STR4##

As magenta dyes for use in the present invention, preferred are those ofthe following general formula (M): ##STR5## where

D⁶ to D¹⁰ each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an akylgroup, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group,an acylamino group, a sulfonylamino group, an ureido group, analkoxycarbonyl amino group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, analkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfonylgroup, an acyl group or an amino group;

D¹¹ and D¹² each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an arylgroup;

D¹¹ and D¹² may be bonded to each other to form a ring; and D⁸ and D¹¹and/or D⁹ and D¹² may also be bonded to each other to form a ring;

X, Y and Z each represents ═C(D¹³)-- or a nitrogen atom; D¹³ representsa hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, anaryloxy group or an amino group; when X and Y are ═C(D¹³)-- or when Yand Z are ═C(D¹³)--, then two D¹³ 's may be bonded to each other to forma saturated or unsaturated carbon ring.

In the formula, the groups may further be substituted.

Specific examples of the magenta dyes are mentioned below. ##STR6##

As cyan dyes for use in the present invention, preferred are those ofthe following general formula (C): ##STR7## where D¹⁴ to D²¹ each hasthe same meanings as those of D⁶ to D¹⁰, as defined above; and D²² andD²³ each has the same meanings as those of D¹¹ and D¹², as definedabove.

Specific examples of the cyan dyes are mentioned below. ##STR8##

Introduction of anti-fading groups, such as described in Japanese PatentApplication No. 1-271078 (corresponding to JP-A-3-205189), intocompounds of the above-mentioned dye formulae (Y), (M) and (C), ispreferred for improving the light fastness of the compounds.

As the binder resin to be used along with the above-mentioned dyes, anyknown binder resins are usable. In general, those which have a highheat-resistance and which do not interfere with transfer of dyes underheat are selected. For instance, examples of usable binder resinsinclude polyamide resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethaneresins, polyacrylic resins (for example, polymethyl methacrylate,polyacrylamide, polystyrene-2-acrylonitrile), vinyl resins (for example,polyvinyl pyrrolidone), polyvinyl chloride resins (for example, vinylchloride-vinyl acetate copolymer), polycarbonate resins, polystyrenes,polyphenylene oxides, cellulose resins (for example, methyl cellulose,ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate hydrogenphthalate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, celluloseacetate butyrate, cellulose triacetate), polyvinyl alcohol resins (forexample, polyvinyl alcohol, and partially saponified polyvinyl alcoholssuch as polyvinyl butyral), petroleum resins, rosin derivatives,coumarone-indene resins, terpene resins, and polyolefin resins (forexample, polyethylene, polypropylene).

The amount of the binder resin to be used is preferably from about 80 toabout 600 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of dye.

An ink solvent, which may be any known one, can be used for dissolvingor dispersing the above-mentioned dyes and binder resins, in the presentinvention.

The dye to be used in the dye-providing layer is suitably selected inorder that a desired color hue can be transferred by printing. Ifdesired, two or more dye-providing layers each having a different huecan be formed on a support of one dye-providing element, by putting themside by side thereon. For instance, where a color image such as a colorphotographic image is formed by repeated printing of plural colors inaccordance with a color separating signal, the printed image is desiredto have cyan, magenta and yellow color hues. Accordingly, in the case,three dye-providing layers each containing one of the dyes of givingsuch color hues are put in a desired order on a support. As the case maybe, a dye-providing layer of containing a black color hue-giving dye mayfurther be formed on the same support, in addition to threedye-providing layers each containing one of such cyan, magenta andyellow dyes. Where such plural dye providing-layers are formed on asupport, it is recommended to provide a position detecting mark alongwith any of the plural dye-providing layers. By provision of such amark, any other ink than those for forming the dye-providing layers orany additional printing step may be omitted.

The dye-providing element is desired to be treated for anti-sticking onthe surface of the support not having the dye-providing layer, for thepurpose of preventing sticking of the element due to the heat of athermal head when printing is effected from the back surface of thedye-providing element and for the purpose of improving the slideproperty of the dye-providing element.

For instance, provision of a heat-resistant slip layer is recommendedwhich contains 1 a reaction product of a polyvinyl butyral resin and anisocyanate, 2 an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of aphosphate and 3 a filler. As the polyvinyl butyral resin to be used,preferred is one having a molecular weight of approximately from 60,000to 200,000 and a glass transition point of from 80° to 110° C. andhaving a vinyl butyral moiety content of from 15 to 40% by weight fromthe viewpoint of having many reaction sites reactive to isocyanates. Asan alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a phosphate, use can bemade, for example, of Gafac RD720 (product by Toho Chemical Co.). Theamount of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a phosphate maybe from 1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 10 to 40% by weight based onthe weight of the polyvinyl butyral resin.

The heat-resistant slip layer is desired to have sufficient heatresistance. Therefore it may be provided by coating a compositioncomprising a thermosetting synthetic resin and a hardening agent, forexample, a combination of a polyvinyl butyral and a polyhydricisocyanate, an acryl polyol and a polyhydric isocyanate, a celluloseacetate and a titanium chelating agent, or a polyester and an organictitanium compound.

As a material for the support constituting the thermal transferimage-receiving element for use in the present invention, any materialwhich is durable and resistant to the transferring temperature and whichsatisfies all the necessary conditions of smoothness, whiteness,slidability, friction property, antistatic property and depression aftertransfer, may be used. For instance, suitable examples include papersupports such as synthetic paper (e.g., polyolefin synthetic paper,polystyrene synthetic paper), high-grade paper, art paper, coated paper,cast-coated paper, wall paper, lining paper, synthetic resin- oremulsion-impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex-impregnated paper,synthetic resin-incorporated paper, sheet paper, cellulose fiber paper,polyolefin-coated paper (especially, paper as coated polyethylene onboth surfaces thereof); various plastic films or sheets of polyolefins,polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrenemethacrylates or polycarbonates, as well as such plastic films or sheetsas surface-treated so as to impart white reflectivity thereto; andlaminates comprising any of the above-mentioned examples.

The thermal transfer image-receiving element of the present inventionhas an image-receiving layer. The image-receiving layer is preferablyone which contains a substance capable of receiving the thermaltransferring dyes as transferred from the thermal transfer dye-providingelement during printing and fixing the thus-transferred dyes into theimage-receiving layer, singly or along with any another bindersubstance. The image-receiving layer preferably has a thickness ofapproximately from 0.5 to 50 μm. As specific examples of substanceswhich may be in such an image-receiving layer for receiving the thermaltransferring dyes to be transferred thereto from the thermal transferdye-providing element, polymers of the following resins are exemplary.The polymers preferably have the molecular weight of from 10³ to 10⁵.

(A) Resins having ester bonds

Polyester resins obtained by condensation of a dicarboxylic acidcomponent such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid or succinic acid(the dicarboxylic acid component may have a sulfonic acid group, acarboxyl group or the like) and ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol,propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, bisphenol A or the like;polyacrylate resins or polymethacrylate resins such as polymethylmethacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate or polybutylacrylate; polycarbonate resins; polyvinyl acetate resins;styrene-acrylate resins; and vinyltoluene-acrylate resins. Specificexamples are described in JP-A-59-101395, JP-A-63-7971, JP-A-63-7972,JP-A-63-7973 and JP-A-60-294862. As commercial products, usable areVylon 290, Vylon 200, Vylon 280, Vylon 300, Vylon 103, VylonGK-140 andVylonGK-130 (all products by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) and ATR-2009 and ATR-2010(both products by Kao Corporation).

(B) Resins having urethane bonds

Polyurethane resins.

(C) Resins having amido bonds

Polyamide resins.

(D) Resins having urea bonds

Urea resins.

(E) Resins having sulfone bonds

Polysulfone resins.

(F) Other resins having high polar bonds

Polycaprolactone resins, styrene-maleic anhydride resins, polyvinylchloride resins, and polyacrylonitrile resins.

In addition to the above-mentioned resins, mixtures of them, as well ascopolymers of them, may also be used.

The thermal transfer image-receiving element may contain, especially inthe image-receiving layer, a high boiling point organic solvent or athermal solvent as a substance capable of accepting the thermaltransferring dye as transferred from the thermal transfer dye-providingelement of the resent invention or as a promoter for diffusion of thedye.

As examples of such a high boiling organic solvent and a thermal solventto be used for the purpose, compounds described in JP-A-62-174754,JP-A-62-245253, JP-A-61-209444, JP-A-61-200538, JP-A-62-8145,JP-A-62-9348, JP-A-62-30247, and JP-A-62-136646 are mentioned.

The image-receiving layer of the thermal transfer image-receivingelement may have the substance capable of accepting the transferredthermal transferring dye in the form of a dispersion as dispersed in awater-soluble binder. As such a water-soluble binder in the case, anyknown various water-soluble polymers can be used. Preferred arewater-soluble polymers having groups capable of being crosslinked with ahardening agent. Gelatins are especially preferred.

The image-receiving layer may be composed of two or more (plural)layers. In the case of plural layers, it is desired that the layernearer to the support is made of a synthetic resin having a lower glasstransition point or contains a high boiling point organic solvent or athermal solvent for the purpose of elevating the fixability of thetransferred dye in the layer. On the other hand, the outermost layer ismade of a synthetic resin having a higher glass transition point andcontains a minimum amount of a high boiling point organic solvent or athermal solvent or contains neither a high boiling point organic solventnor a thermal solvent for the purpose of preventing various disorders oraccidents such as stickiness of the surface, adhesion of the surface toother substances, re-transfer of the once transferred dye to othersubstances, and blocking of the surface with the thermal transferdye-providing element as attached thereto.

The total thickness of the image-receiving layer is desirably within therange of from 0.5 to 50 μm, especially preferably from 3 to 30 μm. Wherethe image-receiving layer is composed of two layers, the thickness ofthe outermost layer is preferably within the range of from 0.1 to 2 μm,especially preferably from 0.2 to 1 μm.

The thermal transfer image-receiving element usable in the presentinvention may have an interlayer between the support and theimage-receiving layer.

Such an interlayer may be anyone of a cushion layer, a porous layer or adye diffusion preventing layer, or a layer having two or more combinedfunctions of such layers depending upon the quality of the materialconstituting the interlayer. As the case may be, it may also have a roleas an adhesive layer.

The dye diffusion preventing layer is one having a function ofpreventing diffusion of the transferred thermal transferring dye to thesupport. The binder constituting the dye diffusion preventing layer maybe either a water-soluble one or an organic solvent-soluble one.Preferred is a water-soluble binder. As examples of the water-solublebinder for the layer, those mentioned above as examples of the binderfor the image receiving layer are referred to. Especially preferred isgelatin.

The porous layer has a function of preventing diffusion of the heat (asimparted to the image-receiving element during thermal transfer process)from the image-receiving layer to the support for the purpose ofefficiently utilize the imparted heat.

The image-receiving layer, cushion layer, porous layer, diffusionpreventing layer and adhesive layer constituting the thermal transferimage-receiving element for use in the present invention can contain afine powder of silica, clay, talc, diatomaceous earth, calciumcarbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, aluminium silicate,synthetic zeolite, zinc oxide, lithopone, titanium oxide, alumina or thelike.

The thermal transfer image-receiving element of the present inventionmay contain a brightening agent. As examples of usable brighteningagents, there are mentioned compounds described in K. Veenkataraman, TheChemistry of Synthetic Dyes, Vol. 5, Chap. 8, and JP-A-61-143752. Moreprecisely, there are mentioned stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds,biphenyl compounds, benzoxazolyl compounds, naphthalimide compounds,pyrazoline compounds, carbostyryl compounds, and2,5-dibenzoxazolethiophene compounds.

Such a brightening agent may be incorporated into the image-receivingelement along with an anti-fading agent.

The layers constituting the thermal transfer dye providing element andthe thermal transfer image-receiving element of the present inventionmay be hardened with a hardening agent.

Where organic solvent-soluble polymers are hardened, hardening agentssuch as described in JP-A-61-199997 and JP-A-58-215398 may be used. Topolyester resins, application of isocyanate hardening agents isespecially preferred.

On the other hand, for hardening water-soluble polymers, hardeningagents such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,739 (column 41), andJP-A-59-116655, JP-A-62-245261 and JP-A-61-18942 are suitable. Moreprecisely, there are mentioned aldehyde hardening agents (e.g.,formaldehyde), aziridine hardening agents, epoxy hardening agents,vinylsulfone hardening agents (e.g.,N,N'-ethylene-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane), N-methylol hardeningagents (e.g., dimethylol urea), as well as high polymer hardening agents(e.g., compounds described in JP-A-62-234157).

The thermal transfer dye-providing element and the thermal transferimage-receiving element of the present invention may contain ananti-fading agent. Such an antifading agent includes, for example, anantioxidant, an ultraviolet absorbent, as well as known metal complexesfor this purpose.

As examples of antioxidants, there are mentioned chroman compounds,coumaran compounds, phenol compounds (e.g., hindered phenols),hydroquinone derivatives, hindered amine derivatives, and spiroindanecompounds. Additionally, compounds described in JP-A-61-159644 are alsoeffectively used.

As examples of usable ultraviolet absorbents, there are mentionedbenzotriazole compounds (such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.3,533,794), 4-thiazolidone compounds (such as those described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,352,681), benzophenone compounds (such as those described inJP-A-56-2784), and other compounds as described in JP-A-54-48535,JP-A-62-136641 and JP-A-61-88256. Additionally, ultraviolet absorbingpolymers described in JP-A-62-260152 are also effective.

As examples of usable metal complexes, there are mentioned compounds asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,155, 4,245,018 (columns 3 to 36) and4,254,195 (columns 3 to 8), JP-A-62-174741, JP-A-61-88256 (pages 27 to29), JP-A-1-75568 and JP-A-63-199248.

Specific examples of anti-fading agents usable in the present inventionare described in JP-A-62-215272 (pages 125 to 137).

The anti-fading agent has a function of preventing the transferred dyesfrom fading and may be previously added to the image-receiving elementor, alternatively, it may be supplied later to the element from anexternal source, for example, by transferring it from the dye-providingelement as attached to the image-receiving element.

The above-mentioned antioxidant, ultraviolet absorbent and metal complexcan be used in any combination thereof.

The layers constituting the thermal transfer dye-providing element andthose constituting the thermal transfer image-receiving element of thepresent invention may contain various surfactants as a coating aid aswell as for the purpose of improving the releasability, improving theslide property, preventing static charges and accelerating thedevelopability.

For instance, usable for these purposes are nonionic surfactants,anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and cationic surfactants.Specific examples of them are described in JP-A-62-173463 andJP-A-62-183457.

Where a substance of accepting thermal transferring dyes, a releasingagent, an anti-fading agent, an ultraviolet absorbent, a brighteningagent and other hydrophobic compounds are dispersed in a water-solublebinder, it is recommended to use a surfactant as a dispersion aid. Forthis purpose, the above-mentioned surfactants as well as surfactants asdescribed in JP-A-59-157636 (pages 37 to 38) are especially preferablyemployed.

The thermal transfer dye-providing element and the thermal transferimage-receiving element of the present invention may contain a mattingagent. As examples of usable matting agents, there are mentionedcompounds described in JP-A-61-88256 (page 29) such as silicon dioxide,polyolefins or polymethacrylates, as well as compounds described inJP-A-63-274944 and JP-A-63-274952 such as benzoguanamine resin beads,polycarbonate resin beads and AS resin beads.

As mentioned above, the thermal transfer dye-providing element of thepresent invention is used for forming transferred images. The process offorming a transferred image from the element of the present inventioncomprises heating the dye-providing element, preferably from the backsurface of the dye-providing element, with a thermal head or lasers inaccordance with the color image to be transferred, as mentioned above,to thereby transfer it to the image-receiving element to form atransferred image thereon.

The dye-providing element of the present invention is in the form of asheet or an endless roll or ribbon. Where it is in the form of anendless roll or ribbon, it contains only one kind of a thermaltransferring dye or contains separate ranges of different thermaltransferring dyes of cyan and/or magenta and/or yellow and/or black andothers.

The present invention includes monochromatic, dichromatic, tri-chromaticor tetra-chromatic or more polychromatic materials.

As one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dye-providingelement has a cyan dye, a magenta dye and an yellow dye separately, insuccessive and repeated ranges, coated on a polyethylene terephthalatesupport. Using this element, the above-mentioned heating step is carriedout successively for the respective dyes to finally form a tri-chromatictransferred image. As a matter of course, where the heating step iscarried out for a monochromatic color, a monochromatic image isobtained. As lasers to be used for thermal transferring dyes from thedye-providing element to the image-receiving element in the presentinvention, there are mentioned argon, krypton or the like ion gaslasers: copper, gold, cadmium or the like metal vapor lasers; ruby, YAGor the like solid lasers; as well as gallium-arsenic or the likesemiconductor lasers capable of emitting infrared rays of from 750 to870 nm. For practical use, semiconductor lasers are preferred in view ofthe small-sized equipment, low-cost, stability, liability, durabilityand easiness of modulation.

The above-mentioned dye-providing element and image-receiving elementcontain, in at least either or both surfaces of the dye-providing layerand the dye-receiving layer, at least one compound of theabove-mentioned formula (1). Of course, the formula (1) compound can beblended throughout the dye-providing and/or dye-receiving layercompositions, or surface-coated thereon.

Examples of especially preferred compounds of formula (1) for use in thepresent invention, either singly or in combination, are those of thefollowing formulae (3) to (8). ##STR9## where m is an integer of from 5to 100; n is an integer of from 1 to 10; R is CH₃ or OCH₃ ; X¹ is H or acarbonyl-containing substituent; X² is H; and X³ is acarbonyl-containing substituent or a --SO₂ --containing substituent.##STR10## where m is an integer of from 5 to 100; n is an integer offrom 1 to 10; R is CH₃ or OCH₃ ; X⁴ is H, CH₃ or C₂ H₅ ; and X⁵ is CH₃,C₂ H₅, a carbonyl-containing substituent or a --SO₂ --containingsubstituent. ##STR11## where n is an integer of from 10 to 100; and X⁶,X⁷, X⁸ and X⁹ each is H, CH₃, C₂ H₅, a carbonyl-containing substituentor a --SO₂ --containing substituent. ##STR12## where m is an integer offrom 5 to 100; n is an integer of from 1 to 10; and X¹⁰ is CH₃, C₂ H₅,C₃ H₇ or a carbonyl-containing substituent. ##STR13## n is an integer offrom 5 to 100; R is a divalent linking group; and X¹¹ and X¹² each is acarbonyl-containing substituent. ##STR14## where m is an integer of from10 to 150; n is an integer of from 1 to 10; and X¹³ is a--NH--containing substituent or a O-containing substituent.

Specific examples of these compounds are mentioned below.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Compound                                                                      No.   X.sup.1                X.sup.2                                                                          X.sup.3                R   m n                __________________________________________________________________________    1     COC.sub.6 H.sub.5      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.5      CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                2     H                      H  "                      CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                3     COCH.sub.3             H  COCH.sub.3             CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                4     H                      H  "                      CH.sub.3 O                                                                        32                                                                              3                5     COC.sub.2 H.sub.5      H  COC.sub.2 H.sub.5      CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              4                6     COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -iso H  COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -iso CH.sub.3                                                                          30                                                                              1                7     COC.sub.3 F.sub.7      H  COC.sub.3 H.sub.7      CH.sub.3                                                                          20                                                                              1                8     H                      H  COC.sub.4 H.sub.9 -t   CH.sub.3                                                                          60                                                                              4                9     COCF.sub.7             H  COC.sub.3 F.sub.7      CH.sub.3 O                                                                        62                                                                              2                10    COC.sub.3 F.sub.7      H  COCF.sub.3             CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                11    H                      H  COCH.sub.2OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                          22                                                                              1                12    COC.sub.7 H.sub.15     H  COC.sub.7 H.sub.15     CH.sub.3                                                                          22                                                                              1                13    COCH.sub.3             H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.5      CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                14    COCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2.Cl H  COCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl CH.sub.3                                                                          80                                                                              3                15                                                                                   ##STR15##             H                                                                                 ##STR16##             CH.sub.3                                                                          46                                                                              2                16    COC.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3 (p)                                                                       H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3 (p)                                                                       CH.sub.3                                                                          36                                                                              2                17    COC.sub.6 H.sub.4 OCH.sub.3 (p)                                                                      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.4 OCH.sub.3 (p)                                                                      CH.sub.3                                                                          23                                                                              1                18    H                      H                                                                                 ##STR17##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                 ##STR18##                                                                    19                                                                                   ##STR19##             H                                                                                 ##STR20##             CH.sub.3                                                                          25                                                                              1                20                                                                                   ##STR21##             H                                                                                 ##STR22##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                21    H                      H  "                                             22                                                                                   ##STR23##             H                                                                                 ##STR24##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                23    H                      H                                                                                 ##STR25##             CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                             O   38 25                                                                           2 1              24    H                      H                                                                                 ##STR26##             CH.sub.3 O                                                                        40                                                                              2                25    H                      H                                                                                 ##STR27##             CH.sub.3                                                                          55                                                                              3                26    H                      H                                                                                 ##STR28##             CH.sub.3                                                                          30                                                                              2                27                                                                                   ##STR29##             H                                                                                 ##STR30##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                28    COOCH.sub.3            H  COOCH.sub.3            CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              4                29    H                      H  COOCH.sub.3            CH.sub.3                                                                          20                                                                              1                30    COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5     H  COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5     CH.sub.3                                                                          22                                                                              1                31    H                      H  COOC.sub.6 H.sub.5     CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                32    CONHCH.sub.3           H  CONHCH.sub.3           CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                33    H                      H  CON(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                34    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3      H  SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3      CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                35    H                      H  SO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                36    H                      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.11     CH.sub.3                                                                          25                                                                              1                37    CH.sub.3               CH.sub.3                                                                         CH.sub.3               CH.sub.3                                                                          21                                                                              1                38    C.sub.2 H.sub.5        C.sub.2 H                                                                        C.sub.2 H.sub.5        CH.sub.3                                                                          20                                                                              1                __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Compound No.                                                                          X.sup.4                                                                          X.sup.5                R   m n                                     __________________________________________________________________________    39      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.5      CH.sub.3                                                                          40                                                                              2                                     40      H  COCH.sub.3             CH.sub.3                                                                          30                                                                              2                                     41      CH.sub.3                                                                         COC.sub.2 H.sub.5      CH.sub.3                                                                          79                                                                              2                                     42      H  COC.sub.3 H.sub.7 -iso CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              1                                     43      H  COC.sub.4 H.sub.9 -t   CH.sub.3                                                                          36                                                                              2                                     44      H  COC.sub.3 F.sub.7      CH.sub.3 O                                                                        40                                                                              2                                     45      H  COCF.sub.3             CH.sub.3                                                                          40                                                                              2                                     46      H                                                                                 ##STR31##             CH.sub.3                                                                          80                                                                              1                                     47      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.4 OCH.sub.3 (p)                                                                      CH.sub.3                                                                          45                                                                              2                                     48      H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.4CH.sub.3 (m)                                                                        CH.sub.3                                                                          40                                                                              1                                     49      H  COC.sub.7 H.sub.15     CH.sub.3                                                                          40                                                                              1                                      ##STR32##                                                                    50      H                                                                                 ##STR33##             CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                                     51      H                                                                                 ##STR34##             CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                                     52      H                                                                                 ##STR35##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              1                                     53      H                                                                                 ##STR36##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                                     54      H                                                                                 ##STR37##             CH.sub.3 O                                                                        40                                                                              2                                     55      H                                                                                 ##STR38##             CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                                     56      H  COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5     CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              4                                     57      H  CONHC.sub.6 H.sub.5    CH.sub.3                                                                          38                                                                              2                                     58      H  SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3      CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              1                                     59      H  SO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              1                                     60      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  C.sub.2 H.sub.5        CH.sub.3                                                                          37                                                                              2                                     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Compound                                                                      No.   X.sup.6              X.sup.7                                                                          X.sup.8              X.sup.9                                                                          n                       __________________________________________________________________________    61    COC.sub.6 H.sub.5    H  COC.sub.6 H.sub.5    H  20                      62    COCH.sub.3           H  COCH.sub.3           H  30                      63    COC.sub.5 H.sub.11   H  COC.sub.5 H.sub.11   H  30                      64    COC.sub.3 F.sub.7    H  COC.sub.3 F.sub.7    H  15                      65                                                                                   ##STR39##           H                                                                                 ##STR40##           H  30                      66    C.sub.2 H.sub.5      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  "                    H  41                      67                                                                                   ##STR41##           H                                                                                 ##STR42##           H  40                      68    COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5   H  COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5   H  37                      69    CON(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                         H  CON(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                                         H  15                      70    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3    H  SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3    H  50                      71    SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                           H  SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                           H  60                      72    C.sub.2 H.sub.5      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  C.sub.2 H.sub.5      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  30                       ##STR43##                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Compound                                                                      No.     X.sup.10                 m     n                                      ______________________________________                                        73      COC.sub.6 H.sub.5        40    2                                      74      COCH.sub.3               30    2                                      75                                                                                     ##STR44##               50    2                                      76                                                                                     ##STR45##               35    1                                      77      C.sub.3 H.sub.7          60    2                                       ##STR46##                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 5                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Com-                                                                          pound                                                                         No. X.sup.11             X.sup.12             R              n                __________________________________________________________________________    78  COC.sub.6 H.sub.5    COC.sub.6 H.sub.5    (CH.sub.2).sub.3O(CH.sub.2).                                                  sub.2O         10               79  COCH.sub.3           COCH.sub.3           "              20               80                                                                                 ##STR47##                                                                                          ##STR48##           "              10               81                                                                                 ##STR49##                                                                                          ##STR50##                                                                                          ##STR51##     15                ##STR52##                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        Com-                                                                          pound                                                                         No.   X.sup.13                  m      n                                      ______________________________________                                        82    NHC.sub.4 H.sub.9         80     2                                      83                                                                                   ##STR53##                70     2                                      84                                                                                   ##STR54##                70     1                                      85    OC.sub.2 H.sub.5          100    2                                      86                                                                                   ##STR55##                50     2                                       ##STR56##                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The present invention will be explained in more detail by way of thefollowing examples, which, however, are not intended to restrict thescope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Formation of Dye-Providing Element Sample (1)

A heat-resistant slip layer was provided on one surface of a 6 μm-thickpolyethylene terephthalate film, and a dye-providing layer-coating ink(1) having the composition mentioned below was formed on the othersurface in a dry amount of 0.4 g/m². Thus, a dye-providing elementsample (1) was prepared.

    ______________________________________                                        Composition of Dye-Providing Layer-Coating Ink (1):                           ______________________________________                                        Dye (Y-10)               3      g                                             Binder Resin, a polyvinyl butyral                                                                      2.5    g                                             (Denkabutyral 5000A, product                                                  by Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK)                                                     Hardening Agent, a polyisocyanate                                                                      0.2    g                                             (Takenate D110N, product by                                                   Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.)                                             Compound 1               0.05   g                                             (formula (1) compound)                                                        Methyl Ethyl Ketone      70     ml                                            Toluene                  30     ml                                            ______________________________________                                    

Formation of Thermal Transfer Image-Receiving Element Sample (1)

A 150 μm-thick synthetic paper (YUPO-FPG-150, product by Oji YukaGoseishi Co., Ltd.) was used as a support. The following composition (1)for forming a thermal transfer image-receiving layer was coated on onesurface of the support by wire bar-coating in a dry thickness of 8 μm.Accordingly, a thermal transfer image-receiving element sample (1) wasprepared. Drying of the coated layer was effected first with a drier forpre-drying and then in an oven having a temperature of 50° C. for 15hours.

    ______________________________________                                        Thermal Transfer Image Receiving Layer-Coating Composition                    (1):                                                                          ______________________________________                                        Polyester Resin (Vylon 200,                                                                             25     g                                            product by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)                                                  Hardening Agent (Polyisocyanate                                                                         4      g                                            KP-90, product by Dainippon Ink                                               And Chemicals, Inc.)                                                          Compound 48 (formula (1) compound)                                                                      0.5    g                                            Methyl Ethyl Ketone       85     cc                                           Toluene                   85     cc                                           ______________________________________                                    

The thermal transfer dye-providing element sample and the thermaltransfer image-receiving element sample thus-prepared as mentioned abovewere attached to each other, with the dye-providing layer facing theimage-receiving layer, and a thermal head was applied to the side of thesupport of the dye-providing element for effecting thermal transferprinting. As the printing condition, the output power of the thermalhead was 0.27 W/dot, the pulse width was from 0.1 to 10 msec, the dotdensity was 6 dots/mm and the pressure was 3 kg/80 mm. Accordingly, animage was recorded on the image-receiving layer of the image-receivingelement. After the transfer recording process, the dye-providing elementand the image-receiving element were separated from each other,whereupon neither thermal fusion (the dye-providing layer peeled offwith portions fused to the image-receiving element) nor static chargingto cause adhesion of dust to the formed image occurred. Even after theimage-receiving elements were stacked up, after transfer printing, theydid not adhere to each other.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

An ink (a) having the same composition as that of the dye-providinglayer-coating ink (1) of Example 1 was prepared, except that the formerdid not contain the compound 1. Using the ink (a), a dye-providingelement sample (a) was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. Acoating liquid (a') having the same composition as that of thedye-receiving layer-coating liquid (1) of Example 1 was prepared, exceptthat the former did not contain the compound 48. Using the coatingliquid (a'), a dye-receiving element sample (a') was prepared in thesame manner as in Example 1. Using sample (a) and sample (a') incombinations with each other and with the dye providing and dyereceiving element samples of Example 1, thermal transfer recording wasthen effected in the same manner as in Example 1. For instance, adye-providing element sample (a) was stacked on each of a dye-receivingelement sample (a') and another on a dye-receiving element sample (1),and so on. As a result, where either the dye-providing element or thedye-receiving element contained the formula (1) compound of the presentinvention, no thermal fusion occurred after thermal printing. However,where both elements did not contain a formula (1) compound, thermalfusion occurred.

EXAMPLE 2 Formation of Dye-Providing Element Sample (2)

A dye-providing layer-coating ink having the following composition wascoated over the same 6 μ-thick PET film as that used in Example 1, toform a dye-providing element sample (2) in the same manner as in Example1.

    ______________________________________                                        Composition of Dye-Providing Layer-Coating Ink (2):                           ______________________________________                                        Dye (M-5)                 4      g                                            Binder Resin, a polyvinyl butyral                                                                       3      g                                            (Denkabutyral 5000A)                                                          Hardening Agent, a polyisocyanate                                                                       0.15   g                                            (Takenate D110N)                                                              Compound 67 (formula (1) compound)                                                                      0.05   g                                            Matting Agent (Flowbeads CL-2080,                                                                       0.05   g                                            product by Sumitomo Seika Co.)                                                Methyl Ethyl Ketone       65     ml                                           Toluene                   35     ml                                           ______________________________________                                    

Formation of Image-Receiving Element Sample (2)

A 25 μm-thick polyethylene was laminated on both surfaces of a 140μm-thick paper to form a resin-coated paper. A dye-receivinglayer-coating liquid (2) having the composition mentioned below wascoated on the resin-coated paper in the same manner as in Example 1 toform an image-receiving element sample (2).

    ______________________________________                                        Dye Receiving Layer-Coating Composition (2):                                  ______________________________________                                        Polyester Resin (TP220, product by                                                                      25     g                                            Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co.)                                                Compound 77 (formula (1) compound)                                                                      0.8    g                                            Hardening Agent (Polyisocyanate KP-90)                                                                  4      g                                            Matting Agent (Flowbeads CL-2080)                                                                       0.5    g                                            Methyl Ethyl Ketone       100    cc                                           Toluene                   100    cc                                           ______________________________________                                    

Using the above-mentioned dye-providing element sample (2) and theimage-receiving element sample (2), thermal transfer recording waseffected in the same manner as in Example 1. Neither thermal fusion norstatic charging occurred, when the elements were peeled off from eachother after thermal recording. Also, no dust adhered to the imageformed.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

A dye-providing element sample (b) and an image-receiving element sample(b') were prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that thedye-providing layer-coating ink did not contain compound 67 and thedye-receiving layer-coating composition did not contain compound 77.

These elements were variously mixed and combined with the Example 2elements in the same manner as in Example 1 and subjected to thermaltransfer recording. When the elements were peeled off from each otherafter thermal recording, no thermal fusion occurred in the cases whereat least one of the elements contained the formula (1) compound of thepresent invention, but thermal fusion occurred in the other cases whereboth of the elements did not contain a formula (1) compound.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

A dye-providing layer-coating ink (3) was prepared in the same manner asin Example 1, except that the compound 1 was replaced by anamino-modified silicone oil (KF-857). Using the ink (3), a dye-providingelement sample (3) was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

The sample (3) was combined with the image-receiving element sample (b')of Comparative Example 2 and subjected to thermal transfer recording inthe same manner as in Example 1. However, thermal fusion occurredbetween the elements after thermal recording.

EXAMPLE 3

The same test as that in Example 1 was carried out, in which thecompound 1 in the dye-providing layer-coating ink (1) was replaced bythe formula (1) compound shown in column (A) of Table 9 below and thecompound 48 in the dye-receiving layer-coating composition (1) wasreplaced by the formula (1) compound shown in column (B) of Table 9. Theresults obtained are shown in Table 9, from which it is understood thatthe compounds of the present invention are effective for preventingthermal fusion during thermal transfer recording.

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                        Test                                                                          No.     A           B     Result                                              ______________________________________                                         1       3           3    No thermal fusion                                    2       3          --    No thermal fusion                                    3      --           3    No thermal fusion                                    4       3           4    No thermal fusion                                    5      15          16    No thermal fusion                                    6      22           3    No thermal fusion                                    7      27          28    No thermal fusion                                    8      39          --    No thermal fusion                                    9      43          43    No thermal fusion                                   10       1          46    No thermal fusion                                   11      54           1    No thermal fusion                                   12      61          62    No thermal fusion                                   13      62          61    No thermal fusion                                   14      78          79    No thermal fusion                                   15       1          82    No thermal fusion                                   16      82          82    No thermal fusion                                   17      83          85    No thermal fusion                                   18       1          85    No thermal fusion                                   19       3          82    No thermal fusion                                   20      85           1    No thermal fusion                                   ______________________________________                                         "--" means no formula (1) compound added.                                

In accordance with the present invention as explained in detailhereinabove, there is provided a thermal transfer recording materialcomposed of a dye-providing element and a dye-receiving element, thesurface(s) of either or both of which elements contain(s) at least onecompound of formula (1). Using the material, thermal transfer recordingmay be attained with no bad influences of thermal fusion and staticcharging.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermal transfer recording material comprisinga dye-providing element comprising a support having thereon adye-providing layer containing a thermal transferring dye and a binderresin, and an image-receiving element comprising a support havingthereon a dye-receiving layer containing a dye-receiving polymercompound, the dye-providing layer and the dye-receiving layer being keptin contact with each other and heatable in accordance with image signalsso as to transfer the dye from the dye-providing layer to thedye-receiving layer to attain recording, wherein at least one of thedye-providing layer and the dye-receiving layer contains at least onepolysiloxane compound of formula (1): ##STR57## where Q¹ to Q⁷ eachrepresents an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an aryl group;G¹ to G³each represents --Y¹ --Y², --Y³ --NR--Y⁴ --N(R⁰)--Y⁵, an alkyl group, anaryl group or an alkoxy group; Y¹ represents an alkylene group, anarylene group or an aralkylene group; Y² represents --Z¹ --Z² or--CO--Z³ ; Z¹ represents --NR^(x) -- (where R^(x) is a hydrogen atom oran alkyl group), --S-- or --O--; Z² represents --CO--R¹, --CS--R², --SO₂--R³, or --CR⁴ (R⁵)R⁶ ; Z³ represents --NR⁷ (R⁸), --OR⁹ or --SR¹⁰ ; Y³and Y⁴ each has the same meaning as Y¹ ; Y⁵ has the same meaning as Z² ;R⁰ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group: R represents a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group or Y⁵ ; R¹, R² and R³ each represents an alkylgroup, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylaminogroup or an arylamino group; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each represents ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R⁹ and R¹⁰ eachrepresents an alkyl group or an aryl group; provided that at least oneof G¹, G² and G³ must be --Y¹ --Y² or --Y³ --NR--Y⁴ --N(R⁰)--Y⁵ ; and m¹represents an integer of from 0 to 1000, and n¹ represents an integer offrom 1 to
 1000. 2. The thermal transfer recording material as in claim1, wherein the polysiloxane compound of formula (1) is represented byformula (2): ##STR58## where Q⁸ to Q¹³ each represents a methyl group ora methoxy group;G⁴ represents --Y⁶ --NH--CO--R¹¹ or --Y⁷ --N(R¹²)--Y⁸--CO--R¹³ ; Y⁶, Y⁷ and Y⁸ each represents an alkylene group; R¹¹ and R¹³each has the same meaning as R¹ ; R¹² represents a hydrogen atom or--COR¹⁴ ; R¹⁴ has the same meaning as R¹¹ ; and m² represents an integerof from 10 to 100, and n² represents an integer of from 1 to
 100. 3. Thethermal transfer recording material as in claim 1, wherein thepolysiloxane compound of formula (1) is selected from formulae (3) to(8): ##STR59## where m is an integer of from 5 to 100; n is an integerof from 1 to 10; R is CH₃ or OCH₃ ; X¹ is H or a carbonyl-containingsubstituent; X² is H; and X³ is a carbonyl-containing substituent or a--SO₂ --containing substituent; ##STR60## where m is an integer of from5 to 100; n is an integer of from 1 to 10; R is CH₃ or OCH₃ ; X⁴ is H,CH₃ or C₂ H₅ ; and X⁵ is CH₃, C₂ H₅, a carbonyl-containing substituentor a --SO₂ --containing substituent; ##STR61## where n is an integer offrom 10 to 100; and X⁶, X⁷, X⁸ and X⁹ each is H, CH₃, C₂ H₅, or acarbonyl-containing substituent or a --SO₂ --containing substituent;##STR62## where m is an integer of from 5 to 100; n is an integer offrom 1 to 10; and X¹⁰ is CH₃, C₂ H₅, C₃ H₇ or a carbonyl-containingsubstituent; ##STR63## n is an integer of from 5 to 100; R is a divalentlinking group; and X¹¹ and X¹² each is a carbonyl-containingsubstituent; ##STR64## where m is an integer of from 10 to 150; n is aninteger of from 1 to 10; and X¹³ is a --NH--containing substituent or aO-containing substituent.
 4. The thermal transfer recording material asin claim 1, wherein said at least one polysiloxane compound of formula(1) is present in at least one of said dye-providing layer and saiddye-receiving layer in an amount of from 0.01 to 2 g/m².
 5. The thermaltransfer recording material as in claim 4, wherein said at least onepolysiloxane compound of formula (1) is present in at least one of saiddye-providing layer and said dye-receiving layer in an amount of from0.01 to 0.5 g/m².
 6. The thermal transfer recording material as in claim5, wherein said at least one polysiloxane compound of formula (1) ispresent in at least one of said dye-providing layer and saiddye-receiving layer in an amount of from 0.05 to 0.5 g/m².
 7. Thethermal transfer recording material as in claim 1, wherein said binderresin is present in an amount of from about 80 to about 600 parts byweight to 100 parts by weight of said thermal transferring dye in saiddye-providing layer.
 8. The thermal transfer recording material as inclaim 1, wherein said dye-providing layer has a dry thickness from about0.2 to 5 μm.
 9. The, thermal transfer recording material as in claim 1,wherein said thermal transferring dye is selected from a yellow dye, amagenta dye or a cyan dye.
 10. The thermal transfer recording materialas in claim 1, wherein said dye-receiving layer has a thickness of fromabout 0.5 to 50 μm.
 11. The thermal transfer recording material as inclaim 1, wherein said dye-receiving polymer compound is selected fromthe group consisting of a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, apolyamide resin, a polyurea resin, a polysulfone resin, apolycaprolactone resin, a styrene-maleic anhydride resin, a polyvinylchloride resin and a polyacrylonitrile resin.
 12. The thermal transferrecording material as in claim 1, wherein the dye-receiving polymercompound has a molecular weight of from 10³ to 10⁵.